The number of birds on West Midlands farms is falling despite efforts by the industry.

Figures published by the Government show a 14 per cent drop in farmland bird populations, with corn bunting and grey partridge doing poorly.

The numbers of woodland birds also fell by six per cent, in line with national statistics with willow warblers and willow tits being worst hit.

However, some birds are increasing in the region, including ravens and kingfishers.

The statistics for 1994 to 2004 come as the Government is pushing farmers to join its environmental schemes, which offer financial incentives.

Since last August, nearly 1,900 farmers entered agreements under the Entry Level and Organic Entry Level Stewardship schemes, accounting for more than 21 per cent (200,000 hectares) of farmland in the West Midlands.

Farming leaders have previously lambasted the Government for making it difficult for farmers to join the schemes.

Difficulty in mapping and poor computer systems have caused problems for those attempting to sign up, with only 22 per cent of farmers across England and Wales currently involved, despite 50 per cent requesting application forms.

Dr Richard Gregory, head of monitoring at the RSPB, was worried about the slow take up of environmental schemes.

"There is tremendous work with Government to develop these schemes and if they aren't being translated into habitat on the ground then these figures can only get worse."

Dr Gregory said intensive farming in West Midlands may have caused the decline in certain birds but climate change was another factor which had to be taken into serious consideration in the future.

Peter Shirley, regional director of the Wildlife Trusts, said the figures were disappointing.

He added: "One has to question if farmers hadn't been taking the action they have been, would the decline have been greater than 14 per cent?"

John Adams, a Midland farmer, has helped encourage one of Britain's most endangered birds to find sanctuary in Walsall after taking part in a Countryside Stewardship Scheme.

Mr Adams, who farms 50 acres of land surrounding Walsall Council's Lime Pits Nature Reserve in Rushall, has spent the last 12 years creating a haven for the rare tree sparrow as well as reed bunting and yellowhammer.

Dave Grundy, senior countryside officer for Walsall Council, which has been involved in the project, said: "For a number of years we only had one nesting pair of tree sparrows.

"Then they disappeared altogether for three years. We thought they were locally extinct, but earlier this year I spotted a new pair.

"Through the Countryside Stewardship Scheme we were then able to pay for the sowing of a wildbird seed mix. This has now provided a source of winter food for up to 18 tree sparrows, plus a handful of reed bunting and yellowhammer.

"We've also had success in terms of attracting birds to the farm through other work that we've carried out. In one field Mr Adams has left the stubble - the cut stems of the crop - over winter, rather than resowing another crop straight away. Now as well as buntings and finches we get skylark and woodcock coming to feed here."

Biodiversity Minister Jim Knight said the numbers of farmbirds nationally had stabilised.

He said: "A lot more work is needed to reverse this decline. I would encourage farmers to continue using environmen-tally friendly farming methods and take advantage of our schemes."